NYU Shanghai joint venture eyed as catalyst for education reform

Newly established NYU Shanghai - the first set up jointly by Chinese and US universities - has made headlines, but also prompted questions about the significance for education on the mainland of such joint-venture institutions.

Its more than 2,500 universities have long been criticised for lacking world-class faculties and graduates. Authorities and scholars hope collaborations between local and foreign universities can be a catalyst for the sector.

From next month until the end of the year, high school graduates can apply for admission to NYU Shanghai - established by New York University and East China Normal University - with the first classes starting next September, NYU Shanghai said last Monday.

NYU president John Sexton said NYU Shanghai's unique selling point for mainland students was that it offered a first-rate American university education close to home. "NYU Shanghai is part of New York University," he said. "In your class, you have students from around the world and you can go to these places [where NYU has a network campus]."

Students will be sent to other NYU campuses around the world for up to three semesters. Upon graduation, they will receive degrees from both NYU and NYU Shanghai.

NYU Shanghai chancellor Yu Lizhong, East China Normal University's former president, said the goal was to cultivate students with international horizons and an inquiring, creative spirit.